By:
Conor Martin
Ulster Head Coach Richie Murphy has named his matchday squad for Saturday’s Challenge Cup Round 4 clash with Stade Français Paris at Affidea Stadium.
There’s a lot on the line when the northern province hosts their French counterparts this weekend.
Sitting second in the group behind the French side, Ulster know exactly what’s on the line. Victory would secure top spot in the pool and deliver a valuable seeding advantage heading into the Round of 16, adding extra edge to an already mouth-watering contest.
Ulster aren’t the only Irish province in action this Saturday; Connacht host Montauban, and a win would see them advance into the last 16 of the competition.
The Ulster pack is loaded with international pedigree. In the front row, Wallabies loosehead Angus Bell links up with hooker Tom Stewart and tighthead Tom O’Toole to form a powerful and mobile unit. Captain Iain Henderson returns to lead from the engine room, where the Ireland international is partnered by the athletic Harry Sheridan in the second row.
https://twitter.com/UlsterRugby/status/2012132974146318494
Richie Murphy’s men go into their final European pool match with a strong back row
The back row promises intensity and work rate in abundance. David McCann takes the blindside berth, Nick Timoney starts at openside, and Academy number eight Bryn Ward completes the trio. Ward comes into the fixture full of confidence after being named Player of the Match in Ulster’s recent United Rugby Championship victory over Munster.
Behind the scrum, Nathan Doak continues his steady rise, edging closer to 100 appearances for the province at scrum-half. Jack Murphy starts at fly-half, tasked with steering Ulster around the park.
In the back three, Zac Ward is named on the left wing, while Robert Baloucoune returns to the starting XV on the right. Stuart McCloskey and James Hume combine once again in midfield, with Jacob Stockdale completing the lineup at full-back as Ulster look to seize control of Pool 3 on home turf.
Murphy has gone with a 5–3 bench, a strategic split designed to balance firepower and flexibility. Five forwards—Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, and Sean Reffell ensure fresh legs and energy to dominate the scrums, breakdowns, and collisions late in the game.
Meanwhile, three backs, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, and Jude Postlethwaite, will cover the backline, ready to inject pace, creativity, and finishing power when it matters most. This setup gives Ulster the perfect mix: grunt up front and game-changing impact out if they want to pip Stade Français Paris to the top spot in Pool 3
Ulster team to play Stade Français:
Ulster: Angus Bell, Tom Stewart, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson (Capt), Harry Sheridan, David McCann, Nick Timoney, Bryn Ward, Nathan Doak, Jack Murphy, Zac Ward, Stuart McCloskey, James Hume, Robert Baloucoune, Jacob Stockdale
Replacements: Rob Herring, Eric O’Sullivan, Scott Wilson, Matthew Dalton, Sean Reffell, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Jude Postlethwaite
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